High bar set with amazing 2016 IBIE

Anyone watching the shifting fortunes of baking in recent years understands that success in this intensely competitive industry demands more than ever before from the executives charged with leading their businesses. From labor market tightness and a heightened focus on food safety to contending with the ever shifting consumer preferences, the message is clear, no baking company in 2016 will succeed merely by running in place.

This high performance environment was powerfully mirrored in the 2016 IBIE just held in Las Vegas. By any number of measures the signature event of grain-based foods demonstrated tremendous progress from earlier shows. In addition to more and larger exhibits, the displays showcased momentous innovation in equipment and ingredient technology. Complementing the greatest IBIE exhibition ever were expanded, thoughtfully developed educational programs as well as numerous behind-the-scenes enhancements aimed at improving the IBIE experience for registrants and exhibitors alike. The successful All-American Tailgate Party filled a gap with a large social event open to everyone.

IBIE reflects monumental effort, and kudos for the success go to the entire IBIE 2016 Committee, ably headed by its exacting chairman Michael J. Cornelis of American Pan, as well as the sponsoring IBIE organizations —- American Bakers Association and BEMA. In its advances from earlier shows, IBIE not only set the bar at a new high but also left everyone attending excited for what may be in store for 2019.